Arcade Fire

The Montreal-based Arcade Fire enjoyed a sudden success two years ago thanks to the soaring melodies and robust, orchestral sound of their 2004 release Funeral. Their new album, Neon Bible, has a slightly darker tone that is likely to turn off a few fans. Arcade Fire’s second full-length release is more funereal than Funeral, and the talented musical collective gets fewer opportunities to stretch its wings. Still, lead singer-songwriter Win Butler finds space for the slow-building “Intervention” as well as the hard-charging raver “Antichrist Television Blues,” which evokes The River-era Springsteen. Heavier fare like “Ocean of Noise” only becomes richer with multiple listens. Neon Bible doesn’t have the instant impact of Funeral, but the thing just keeps growing on you.